I have the 899 and LOVE it! Be hard to say one or the other. Lowrance has some features i like too. Like the different icons for waypoints when u mark one. If you get the HD transducer with the 899, the image porbably couldnt be beat. Humminbird is very user friendly and there is a HUGE humminbird network in this site that is very eager to help. I would say if your new to it then go with humminbird. You will get all kinds if tips from this site and they can answer EVERY question you could have about em. Nothing like having a network lol! As far as the units themselves tomáto-tomahto. Just be personal preference.